I thought most people just used open-vm ....http://open-vm-tools.sourceforge.net/ these days....
2009/10/24 Daniel Pittman <[email protected]>: > Ishwor Gurung <[email protected]> writes: >>> I assume you worked it out, but the answer to your original question is: >>> >>> You need the kernel headers (and configuration) that match the kernel you >>> are building the module against. The "any-any" patch helps with newer >>> kernels, but doesn't change the equation: build VMWare against the same >>> headers as the kernel. The reason for this is that different kernels, and >>> different configuration options, all change the layout of binary data >>> structures that the module refers to. >>> >>> Get that wrong and you can go direct to data corruption city, not passing >>> go, and not collecting anything but a lot of grief on the way. >> >> I remember compiling headers couple of years ago on Potato/Etch (I think it >> was Etch. The machine doesn't live with me anymore). Anyway, the thing with >> vmware-config.pl is that it will _fail_ to compile a proper module if the >> kernel headers are wrong or missing anyway. > > *nod* Generally... > >> So, although your statement might still be valid (the corruption bit... >> especially if you really intend to corrupt the data using special ABI >> magickery), I think in the OPs case, it will simply fail to compile+link if >> he/she gets the wrong headers. > > ...the result of a mismatch is a compilation failure, or an error caused by > the checks in the Linux kernel to ensure that the module has a compatible ABI > to the running kernel. > > However, those are not infallible, and I have come across plenty of (terribly > bad) advice over the years like "...and then turn off ABI compatibility > checking, so you can install the module, and..." > > > In fairness, yes, what I presented was an extreme case, and the most likely > result is the compilation failure you mention. (For the OP: this compilation > failure is also what the any-any stuff works with, when your kernel is newer > than what was released at the time VMWare made their release. :) > > Daniel > -- > ✣ Daniel Pittman ✉ [email protected] ☎ +61 401 155 707 > ♽ made with 100 percent post-consumer electrons > Looking for work? Love Perl? In Melbourne, Australia? We are hiring. > -- > SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ > Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html > -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group Mailing List - http://slug.org.au/ Subscription info and FAQs: http://slug.org.au/faq/mailinglists.html
